Rectal and vaginal electrode



March 5, 1929.

H. F. HERWIG ET AL 1,704,000

RECTAL AND VAGINAL ELECTRODE Filed Sept. 16, 1927 gwuewfo'c Henry FHera/zg Mattie/KL gnc/z *1/% Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

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HENRY r; HEBWIG, on SEATTLE, Ann meme M. Lrncn, or sronann, wasnrns ron.

nncrra'r, AND vaenvnt nnno'rnonn.

Our invention relates to instruments in. tended for use with electricity for the treatment of diseased or disturbed conditions in. the human body, which treatment is known as diathern'lal treatment- The particular instrument which is the subject of this invention is generally referred .to as a vaginal electrode, although it is designed for use also in the rectal opening. It may more correctly be called an instru ment for diathermal treatment by insertion in therectum or vagina.

The object oi. our invention is to provide an instrument for such uses which is Oil such improved construction to better i adapt it for its purpose, and which willf enable it to secure new results and better? secure old results. The novel features ot; the invention will first be described as applied to the particular embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figures 1 and 2 are sideviews ct our instrument taken fromview points which are separated by 90.

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section.

()ur device has a major section, generically indicated by 1, which we have referred to as a tongue-like body, and which constitutes the portion which is inserted in the body opening. This tongue towards its innor end, as at 10, is flattened so as to be much broader than thick, and has an upturned tip or lip 11, smoothly rounded on its edges. Towards-the base or outer end of the tongue, it becomes more rounded in cross-section, this section 12 then reducing sharply in size to form a restricted neck 2 and a retaining shoulder 18. At the outer end of the neck 2 is a surrounding flange 3 which preferably occupies a plane slightly inclined to right angularity with the major axis of the instrument.

The inner surface'o'f this flange is slightly curved or rounded, and at its outer edge is rounded over so as to present a rounded corner merging into the edge of the flange. The outer face of this flange may be a plane, or such other shape as may be desired.

Extending outwardly from theflange 3 is a central stem 4, which serves as a con venient handle with which to manipulate' thej instrument. lead. wire 5 is to'be atta to the instrument when in use.

This may be secured in any suitable way,'as by entering a'hole in a lug 4:0 where it is'held by a setscrew 50. e-prefer to proviue a'central bore 6 which means. a M

It is of course contemplated that with this employed a second electrode, which is attached to a complementary lead wire.

I in use, the tongue of the elect-rode'is inserted in either the rectum or the vagina, as in licated by circumstances, and an electric current passed through'the portions of the body between the two electrodes. 7

lihen. in. rted in the rectum, the restricted neclr 2 is gripped by the sphincter muscles to securely holdit in place. i We consider rounding of the surface at 30 of import-slice, as it prevents conceutraacts as a heat-expializingv tion of the electric discharge at this point,

and; consequent overheating with possible burnisig oilects, as would otherwise happen, due to the tendency of electric discharges from conducting bodies to concentrate at points and sharp edges. A preferred material ior our instrument'is a commercial aluminum, both because of its conductivity of both heat and electricity, and because of its resistance to tarnishing and chemical action. l v

The detalled manner of use of the instrument will be understood by physicians and.

those for whom it is intended, and need not be herein sct forth.

What we claun as our invention is: 1. An instrument ior diathermic treatcomprising an elongated tongue terminating in an upwardly turned tip, which, has v which tongue is adapted tor insertion in the natutransversely fiat upper surface,

ral openings of the human body, said tongue l'laving annular; J sect on of rounded cross section at its base followed outwardly in or der by a restricted neck and by a radially extending surrounding flange.

f2. An instruimmt for; diathermic treatment of internal organs of the human body,

meut of internal organs of the human body,

section at its base followed outwardly in order by a restricted neck and by a radically extending surrounding flange, and having a heat-equalizing bore extending lengthwise of the said parts.

3. An instrument for diathermic. treatment 01" internal organs of the human body, comprising an elongated tongue terminating in an upwardly turned tip, which has a transversely fiat upper surface, which tongue is adapted for insertion in the natural openings of the human body, said tongue having an enlarged section of rounded cross section at its base followed outwardly in order by a restricted neck and by a radially extending surrounding flange, the plane of said flange being inclined to the axis of the tongue.

An instrument for diathermic treatment of internal organs having a tongne like body having at its base a radially extending flange having its inner face adjacent to its outer periphery rounded over and smoothly merging into its peripheral edge.

Signed at Seattle", King County, "Washington, and at Spokane, Spokane County, ashingtcn, respectively, this 7th and 9th day 01"" September, 1927.

HENRY F. HERWVIG. MATTIE My LYNCH. 

